Festivals in Jammu and Kashmir – Along with scenic natural beauty, Jammu and Kashmir also famous for its rich cultural heritage and tradition. This fascinating diversity also reflected in all major fairs and Festivals in Jammu and Kashmir. All these Kashmiri festivals add an extra flavour to the beauty of the state. Further, if you want to explore the rich culture of this beautiful state then all these events and fairs in Jammu and Kashmir will truly help you. In addition, all these events comprise of various Kashmiri dance performances, traditional music and a folk song competition. So below here is the list of all famous religious festivals in Jammu and Kashmir.

Top 6 Popular Fairs & Religious Festivals in Jammu and Kashmir To Get Insight of Kashmiri Culture –

1. Hemis Festival –

Hemis Festival is one of the most celebrated festivals in Jammu and Kashmir and witnessed by thousands of local and international tourist. Celebrated at Hemis Gompa which is one of the richest monasteries in Kashmir. It is two days long festival and the celebration mark as the birth anniversary of Padmasambhava who is known as the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. During the festival time, one can see the various mask dance performances known as Cham dance. All these dance performances reflect the culture of Ladakh and it is also an important part of Tantric Buddhism. Further, it is also believed that the festival brings spiritual and physical health to people. Undoubtedly, one of the most elusive Jammu and Kashmir festivals that takes place in the Tibetan lunar month.

Hemis Festival 2019 Dates – 11th and 12th July

2. Sindhu Darshan Festival –

The festivals celebrated in honour of the river Sindhu as the mighty river holds significant religious importance. The festival held at Ladakh district on the day of Guru Purnima every year. Celebrated since the year 1997, the festival still holds a great religious significance among all devotees of Hindus. During the Sindhu Darshan Festival, people worship this sacred river and take back holy water to their homes. At the evening people offer monks pray on the banks and make a bonfire at night.

The celebration organised by a joint effort of various religious organisations, so it is a festival of full of joy and togetherness. So in order to visit this popular feast in Jammu and Kashmir tourist throng here in a large number. The celebration also marked as a symbol of Cultural harmony in the state thus the event holds great importance in the list of all Kashmiri Festivals.

Sindhu Darshan Festival Dates – 12th to 14th June every year

3. Tulip Festival –

Tulip Garden in Srinagar considered as one of the largest Tulip Gardens in Asia that bloom here in the spring season. During this season, it becomes a great sight to behold for hosting the Tulip festival. Being one of its kind in India, it is counted as one of the most colourful festivals in Jammu and Kashmir. The festival celebrates at Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar during the first 15 days of April every year. Further, one can witness around 50 colourful variety of Tulip flowers that are prepared here especially for the festival. In addition, the festivals also showcase the local handicrafts, luscious cuisine and Kashmiri culture. Further, one can also witness the various dance of Jammu and Kashmir that are performed here by different groups.

Tulip Festival Dates – Usually held in the months of March and April every year

4. Shikara Festival –

Started in the year 2016, Shikara Festival celebrated at famous Dal Lake in Srinagar. The main motive behind this festival to promote tourism of Jammu and Kashmir. During the festival time, boats are beautifully painted and decorated. Further, the festival hosts a number of boat races like the Dragon race, Shikara boat race and Canoe Polo Match. All these activities filled with full of adventure and give you a soul captivating experience. This modern-day festival sure to be added in the list of festivals celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shikara Festival Dates – Held between the months of July and August every year

5. Spituk Gustor Zanskar –

Spituk Gustor Zanskar is one of the most charming and ritualistic festivals in Jammu and Kashmir with a mark to the victory of good over evil. Basically, it is a Tibetan festival celebrated in many Ladakhi monasteries like Thiksey, Spituk, and Karsha Nanzkar. The festival started with early morning prayers and then a special dance performance performed by ‘Black Hat Dancers’. Further, the festival ends up by distributing a sacrificial cake Storma who leads the Black Hat dancers. The Black Hat Dancers also wear a mask that symbolizes the ‘guardian divinities’ known as Dharmapalas.

Spituk Gustor Zanskar Festival 2020 Dates – 22nd and 23rd January

6. Matho Nagrang Festival –

Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir are the best way to witness the cultural harmony of this beautiful state. Among all these, some of the monastic festivals are very popular for their unique culture and identity. Whereas Matho Nagrang festival in one of them which is celebrated with lots of zeal and enthusiasm. Celebrated at Matho Monastery in Leh, it is the most colourful monastic festivals of the Buddhists.

During the festival time, various traditional mask dance performances performed by the monks. Further, the masks beautifully decorated with silver robes and it reflected the faces of many Gods and Goddesses. The festival also celebrated in the fact that after two whole months of dedicated mediation in absolute isolation, two oracles appear.

Matho Nagrang festival 2020 Dates – 8th and 9th March

So these are the most popular Jammu and Kashmir festivals that are celebrated here with great zeal and passion. Here we mention a complete list of all major festivals in Jammu and Kashmir with brief information. So if you wish to explore the rich culture and tradition of this beautiful state then witness all these events whenever you get a chance.

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